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LEVI B. LATHROP, OF SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA. Letters Patent No. 73,348, dated January 14, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN THRESHING-MAUHINE AND GRAIN-SEPARATOR.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY concnnn:

Be it known that I, L. B. LATHROP, of San Jose, in the county of Santa Clara, and State of California, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Separator and Screen for Threshing-lilachines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make anduse the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

Figure 1 represents a plan or top view of my invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line it x, fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line 2/ 2/ s- Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a new manner of constructing and arranging the screens by which the straw and grain are carried from the threshing-cylinder, the former to a discharge-spout, the latter to the separator; and relates also to a new arrangement for separating the chaff from the grain.

The invention consists, first, in the novel motion imparted to the screen, which is a tossing motion imparted by an eccentric from a horizontal shaft, the screen being guided by means of pins, fitting into inclined grooves arranged in the sides of the framework of the machine, so that the screen is moved up and down in the direction of these grooves, and, as it is rapidly drawn upwards, the grain is tossed up and forward.

The invention consists, second, in the construction of the wire or lattice screen, which is arranged in waved tines, the front edgecf each wave forming a carrier for the grain, after the same has been tossed up, as afore described, and preventing it from rolling back when the screen moves down.

, The invention consists, third, in arranging leather or other packing along the whole or part of the upper edge of the screen-frame, whereby straw or chafi' is prevented from coming between the frame of the machine and the screen, from thereby obstructing the operation of the screen.

The invention also consists in arranging the end of a suction-pipe close above the screen for drawing up the chafi and other light substances, while the heavy grain remains on the screen, and is conveyed on the same to a suitable receptacle. I

A represents the framework of a stationary or travelling threshing-machine. B represents the threshing cylinder, from which the straw and grain are discharged in the direction of the'arrow 1, fig. 1. The straw passes over a channel, C, which is arranged parallel with the axis of the threshing-cylinder, upon a screen of suitable construction, which is or may be arranged in a frame, D, as is indicated in fig. 3. The grain falls into the channel C, upon a wire or lattice screen, E, which is arranged in the same. This screen consists of side pieces a a, of wood or other material, and of a cross-piece, C, at its rear end, as shown, the perforated bottom being arranged between these pieces a a and O. Pins cc are secured to the outside of the side pieces a, and from it into grooves T T, that are arranged in the sides of the channel O in the frame A, as shown. These grooves are inclined, as shown. In the front end of the s'creen is a horizontal cross-bar, F, to which an arm, G, which fits around an eccentric on a horizontal shaft, H, that has its hearings in the frame A, is attached. By turning the shaft H, the screen will be moved forward and backward and at the same time up and down, by reason of the positions of the grooves or guides T. The perforated bottom of the screen is bent or formed into a. series of transverse waves, as is clearly shown in figr2, the front of each wave holding the grain, and preventing it from falling back while the screen moves down and backward; but when the screen is moved up and forward, the grain will be tossed up, and will be thrown forward, so as to drop into the next depression or valve. Above the screen E is arranged the open end of a suction-tube, I, which tube is provided with a fan, J, of suitable construction and arrangement. Thus, when the grain is being tossed up by the motion of the screen, the, chafi and other light material are drawn up by the fan into the tube, and thence discharged through a spent at theouter end of the same, or otherwise. The screen, when connected with this suction-arrangement must be perforated to allow the necessary supply of air; butwhen the screen is used, for instance, or the frame D, for conveying straw, or on a machine in which a. difierent separating-apparatus is used, it need not be separated. The fan may be driven by bevel gears K from the shaft H, if desired" its power may bemodified or regulated by the respective diameters of the gear-wheels, or by a gate, L, in the pipe I, or by making the dischargeopening of the latter larger or smaller. To the side pieces a a of the screen E should be secured leather or other packing, e, fig. 3, which will prevent straw, grains, or chafi' from coming between the said side pieces and the sides of the channel 0. g

It will be observed that the screen E is curved, being gradually bent up towards its front end, fig. 2. This is for facilitating and aiding the tossing motion of the grain. From the front end of the screen E the grain is discharged into a suitable receptacle.

The screen, when arranged and operated as described, can also be used to convey grain to the threshingcylinder, or to any other place.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The device for imparting the peculiar motion, as herein described, to the screen E, said device consisting of the inclined guides C, arm G, and crank-shaft H, or their respective equivalents.

2. Providing a screen, E, with alternate depressions and elevations similar to waves, substantially as and for the purpose herein shown and described.

3. The packing a, when arranged at the sides of the frame of the screen, substantially as and for the purposes herein shown and described.

4. Passing the grain by-any suitable conveyer directly under the end of a suction-pipe, as set forth.

5. The screen E, when arranged and operated asset forth, in combination with the suction-tube I, the same being arranged substantially as described.

6. The tossin motion of the screen E when a) lied to the ur ose of se aratin rain from straw or for' c: 1 P P a g 7 separating it from chad, or for simply conveying light articles, substantially as described.

LEVI B. LATHROP.

Witnesses:

J. N. Henson, 1. T. SMITH. 

